Highlighted Member
Member Interview: Sean Petrie
Our Member Interview Series welcomes Sean Petrie, author, poet, and professor. Sean holds an MFA in Writing for Kids from Vermont College, a law degree from Stanford, and a Plan II degree from the University of Texas (where he co-founded the Camp Texas program). He is a writing professor at the University of Texas School of Law and teaches creative writing workshops for kids and adults. Sean’s published poetry collections for children are: Universe at the Tips of Your Toes (Burlwood Books), and Pet Poems (also not just pets), with its companion workbook Pet Poems Plus: How to write your own poems about pets (both Moonbeam Children’s Award-winners). He has also written a middle grade sports adventure series: Jett Ryder (JollyFish Press). Other publications include several educational books for Fountas & Pinnell. He also writes books for adults, including the poetry collections Typewriter Rodeo (Andrews McMeel Universal), Cracked & Broken (Burlwood Books), and Listen to the Trees (Documentary Media; Independent Publisher Book Award), and an essay in the creative-writing anthology, Spinning Toward the Sun: Essays on Writing, Resilience, & the Creative Life (Burlwood Books). You can hear Sean’s weekly radio poems on Austin NPR, and his work has appeared in The Texas Observer, Dallas Morning News and other outlets. Read on to find out his story.
Member Interviews
Member Interview: Illustrator Laura Fisk
Our Member Interview Series welcomes Laura Fisk, illustrator of SLEEPING BAGS TO S’MORES: CAMPING BASICS (Harper Collins, April, 2020) and THE TEXAS STATE COLORING BOOK (Ulysses Press, April, 2026). Her work has been featured in Buzzfeed, Parade Magazine and more. Her giant coloring sheets for kids and other items featuring her illustrations can be found on her website. Formerly, Laura served as our SCBWI Austin Illustrator Coordinator for three years, and she continues to stay active with the chapter. She is represented by Rachel Orr of Prospect Agency. Read on to find out her story.
Member Interview: Illustrator Tiffany Shih
When Tiffany is not busy planning and organizing events for our chapter, she is an illustrator who loves themes of romance, magic, space, ghosts, fantastical creatures, and world building. Her professional career has been as a software product designer in the technology sector, with a focus on UX/UI product design. Read on to find out her story.
Member Interview: Author Gloria Amescua
Gloria Amescua’s ABULELITA’S SONG, a bilingual picture book, treats readers to song lyrics and music as back matter to the story. Read on to learn about Gloria’s backstory as an author.
Member Interview: Author Chris Barton
Find out how author Chris Barton, whose recent picture book was celebrated at BookPeople, stays busy creating stories that make a splash in the kidlit world.
Member Interview: Author Mari Mancusi
Find out what award-winning Mari Mancusi has to say about her life as an author—from bestsellers to Bluebonnet lists and beyond.
Member Interview: Author Anne Wynter
Catch up with author Anne Wynter, and read about her latest works–from picture books to board books, to a recent collaboration with another SCBWI Austin chapter member.
Member Interview: Illustrator Keiko Hayner
Our Member Interview Series is pleased to welcome illustrator Keiko Hayner, the artist behind our new website banner. Originally from Japan, Keiko has lived in the U.S. since 2004, and began her art career, in earnest, in 2020. Her medium is primarily watercolor, but she also works in digital art and block printing. She holds a BA in Graphic Design from Osaka University of the Arts.
Member Interview: Author Cynthia Levinson
As a mostly nonfiction writer, she recently launched WHO OWNS THE MOON, AND OTHER CONUNDRUMS OF EXPLORING AND USING SPACE (Penguin Random House, 2025) at Book People.
Member Interview: Author Anna Alsup
As we turn the page to begin a new year, we’d like to introduce Austin SCBWI’s new Regional Advisor, Anna Alsup, through our Member Interview Series. She has already led several meetings and has expressed enthusiasm for our chapter’s next storyline.
Member Interview: Author Meredith Davis
Our Monthly Member Interview Series welcomes Meredith Davis, author of THE MINOR MIRACLE .
Member Interview: Author-Illustrator Don Tate
We welcome Don Tate to our Member Interview Series, author-illustrator of THE DAY MADEAR VOTED and more!
Member Interview: Author Nicholas Solis
Our Member Interview Series continues with an update on Nicholas Solis, author of recently published THE LITTLEST GRITO (Sleeping Bear Press, 2024).
